ZINVO's Favorite Destinations: Dubai

May 3, 2017

If you haven't been to Dubai, then add it to your bucket list because this is a place you have to see to believe. Home to so many "biggest" and "best" records, Dubai is one ambitious city. Since there's so much to do, experience, and discover in this ultra-modern destination, this time, we packed all our Blade watchesso we'd always look our best!

Dubai is one of seven Emirates in the United Arab Emirates. This sci-fi looking futuristic city has become the beacon for big dreamers and a hub of crazy ideas. But far from just dreams, Dubai turns them into reality. It seems that the more far-out the idea, then the more likely it'll come to fruition there. Besides, making “the world’s largest and biggest” or “the world’s first” became the unofficial mission statement for the Emirate.

Dubai’s embracing of capitalism has accelerated the city from a small town to an international metropolis with the world’s busiest airport, the world’s tallest building, the world’s largest mall, and the world’s largest real-estate projects. It all started with Dubai’s visionary leaders to construct an iconic building that people now associate with Dubai: the Burj Al Arab.

Burj Al Arab

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York has the Empire State Building, and Dubai has the Burj Al Arab (among others). The name means “The Arab Tower" in Arabic. Burj Al Arab is said to be the world’s only seven-star hotel, although management does not endorse such a label and it is not currently in use in any of their marketing material.

The Burj Al Arab is one of the world’s tallest hotel it was created to be so extravagant, that it would put Dubai on the map—and that it did. It also put Dubai on a grand-scale building addiction that is still going on until today. The best way to experience the Burj Al Arab—aside from booking a few nights in their plush suites—is to have at drink at their Skyview Bar but reservations are highly recommended.

Burj Khalifa

Built in 2010, Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building standing at a total height of 7,722 feet (829.8m), beating Shanghai tower by almost 700 feet (around 200m). Designed by the same firm that designed the Willis Tower in Chicago and One World Trade Center in New York, the Burj Khalifa design is influenced by Islamic architecture and the Hymenocallis flower.

Construction time was only six years from the excavation in 2004 to the official launching ceremony in 2010. The world's tallest building is actually part of the larger “Downtown Dubai” project, which includes Dubai Mall (the world’s biggest mall) and other surrounding residences, hotels, businesses, waterways, and lakes. Take a ride to the 148th floor to the Burj Al Khalifa's observation deck for some incredible views of the city. Tickets can be purchased in advance.

The Palm Islands

The Palm Islands were planned on such a grand-scale that they are seen from space. Actually, they can only really be appreciated from space (or at least an airplane) because of the enormous size of the project. The Palm Islands include three artificial Islands, which are Palm Jumeirah (the world’s largest human-made island) and Palm Deira, with the World and Universe archipelagos in between.

Palm Jumeirah Island was finished first, and as one can imagine, its shape is like a palm tree with 16 fronds surrounded by a crescent. Driving onto Palm Jumeirah Island is an impressive experience, with six lane highways on each side, shores lined up with beach-front property villas, sky-scrapers, and resorts. Including the Atlantis Resort which is a fascinating project on its own.

If you want luxury, then Dubai has figured out how to deliver it. The United Arab Emirates is a diverse country, attracting millions of people from all over the word with over 202 nationalities represented. Thanks to the vision of its leadership, it is a shining beacon of diversity, tolerance, and prosperity.